Norwood Cinema Manager Voluntarily Alters “So Fine” Movie Poster Following Selectmen Inquiries-October 29, 1981

Theater Manager Ron Hier Modifies R-Rated Poster After Public Taste Concerns Raised

Management at the Norwood Cinema has taken matters into their own hands to address community concerns regarding provocative advertising. Theater manager Ron Hier voluntarily modified the promotional poster for the R-rated comedy film “So Fine” by placing two narrow banners advertising cut-rate ticket prices across the image, covering the back of a woman depicted wearing see-through jeans.

The adjustment followed a discussion during Tuesday night’s Board of Selectmen meeting, where Selectman Walter J. Dempsey brought up the poster after receiving a complaint from a local resident who found the display offensive. Dempsey praised Hier’s swift, voluntary cooperation: “He’s not making a fuss out of it. He’s cooperating.”

Despite the issue being resolved, selectmen voted to maintain an invitation for Hier to attend the board’s upcoming Tuesday meeting. Dempsey explained that the meeting invitation could not be formally rescinded between sessions, noting it would provide an opportunity to personally thank the manager for his discretion and encourage similar sensitivity in future promotional displays.

Dempsey Reacts to “Town Censor” Label and Addresses Other Complaints

Reflecting on the public attention generated by the incident, Dempsey remarked on the lightning-rod effect of the controversy: “I’m now the town censor.”

During the same period, Dempsey addressed additional citizen inquiries, including a call from a Westwood woman concerned about underage children gaining admission to R-rated features at the Norwood theater. While noting that film ratings are managed under the industry’s self-policing code, Dempsey advised her to submit a formal letter to the board.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger